GEOSCIENTIST - The Geological Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
GEOSCIENTIST VOLUME 27 NO 10 ◆ NOVEMBER 2017 ◆ WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST
The Fellowship Magazine of the Geological Society of London UK / Overseas where sold to individuals: £3.95
[
ORE
SINGAlPIssue
Specia
]
Hidden Tiger
Graham Leslie and Rhian Kendall
uncover the geology beneath Singapore
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER TRUST & TRANSPARENCY COAL COMFORT?
Mary Harris on her mother’s Mark Steeves on building Bryan Lovell and Ted Nield
pioneering work public confidence on coal, CCS and Germany
GEOSCIENTIST CONTENTS
Geoscientist is the ADVERTISING SALES
Fellowship magazine of the Jonny Knight
Geological Society T 01727 739 193
of London E jonathan@
centuryonepublishing.uk
The Geological Society,
Burlington House, Piccadilly, ART EDITOR
London W1J 0BG Heena Gudka
T +44 (0)20 7434 9944
F +44 (0)20 7439 8975 DESIGN & PRODUCTION
E enquiries@geolsoc.org.uk Jonathan Coke
(Not for Editorial - Please
contact the Editor) PRINTED BY
Century One
Publishing House Publishing Ltd.
The Geological Society
Publishing House, Unit 7, Copyright
Brassmill Enterprise Centre, The Geological Society of
Brassmill Lane, Bath London is a Registered Charity,
16 24
BA1 3JN number 210161.
T 01225 445046 ISSN (print) 0961-5628
F 01225 442836 ISSN (online) 2045-1784
Library
T +44 (0)20 7432 0999 The Geological Society of London
F +44 (0)20 7439 3470 accepts no responsibility for the views
expressed in any article in this
E library@geolsoc.org.uk publication. All views expressed, except
where explicitly stated otherwise,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF represent those of the author, and not
Professor Peter Styles The Geological Society of London. All
All rights reserved. No paragraph of this
EDITOR publication may be reproduced, copied
Dr Ted Nield or transmitted save with written
permission. Users registered with
E ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk Copyright Clearance Center: the Journal
10 25
is registered with CCC, 27 Congress
EDITORIAL BOARD Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA. 0961-
Dr Sue Bowler 5628/02/$15.00. Every effort has been
Mr Steve Branch made to trace copyright holders of
Dr Robin Cocks material in this publication. If any rights
have been omitted, the publishers offer
Prof. Tony Harris their apologies.
Dr Howard Falcon-Lang
Mr Edmund Nickless No responsibility is assumed by the
Mr David Shilston Publisher for any injury and/or damage
Dr Jonathan Turner to persons or property as a matter of
products liability, negligence or ON THE COVER:
Dr Jan Zalasiewicz
Trustees of the
otherwise, or from any use or operation
of any methods, products, instructions
or ideas contained in the material
10 HIDDEN TIGER
Geological Society
of London
herein. Although all advertising
material is expected to conform to
What lies beneath the vibrant city state
Mr Malcolm Brown (President)
Mr John Booth
ethical (medical) standards, inclusion
in this publication does not constitute of Singapore?
a guarantee or endorsement of the
Mr Rick Brassington quality or value of such product or of
Dr Jason Canning the claims made by its manufacturer.
Miss Liv Carroll Subscriptions: All correspondence
Ms Lesley Dunlop
Dr Marie Edmonds (Secretary,
relating to non-member subscriptions
should be addresses to the Journals
FEATURES
FEATURES
Science) Subscription Department, Geological
Mr Graham Goffey (Treasurer) Society Publishing House, Unit 7 16 ELIZABETH ALEXANDER
Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill
Dr Sarah Gordon (Secretary, Lane, Bath, BA1 3JN, UK. Tel: 01225 Mary Harris writes about her mother’s pioneering scientific
Foreign & External Affairs) 445046. Fax: 01225 442836. Email: work in Singapore
Mrs Tricia Henton sales@geolsoc.org.uk. The subscription
Ms Naomi Jordan price for Volume 27, 2017 (11 issues)
to institutions and non-members will
Dr Robert Larter be £139 (UK) or £159/$319 (Rest
Dr Jennifer McKinley
Dr Colin North (Secretary,
of World). REGULARS
Publications) © 2017 The Geological Society
Dr Sheila Peacock of London 05 Welcome Ted Nield on coal, CCS - and Germany
Prof Christine Peirce Geoscientist is printed on FSC® mixed
Mr Nicholas Reynolds credit - Mixed source products are a 06 Society News What your Society is doing at home and
Prof Nick Rogers (President blend of FSC 100%, Recycled and/or
Controlled fibre. Certified by the Forest
abroad, in London and the regions
designate) Stewardship Council®.
Dr Katherine Royse (Secretary, 09 Soapbox Bryan Lovell thinks CCS could be the
Professional Matters) last roll for coal
Mr Keith Seymour (Vice
president, Regional Groups)
Miss Jessica Smith 20 Books and arts Six new books reviewed by Catherine Kenny,
Mr John Talbot (Vice president, David Edwards, Nine Morgan, Mark Griffin,
Chartership) Gordon Woo and Rob Bowell
Dr Alexander Whittaker
Published on behalf of the 23 Calendar Society activities this month
Geological Society of
London by 24 People Geoscientists in the news and on the move
Century One Publishing 26 Obituary John Baverstock Saunders 1928-2017
Alban Row, 27–31 Verulam
Road, St Albans, Herts, 27 Obituary Trevor David Ford 1925 – 2017
AL3 4DG
T 01727 893 894
F 01727 893 895 28 Obituary James Brooks 1938-2017
E enquiries@centuryone
publishing.uk 29 Crossword Win a Special Publication of your choice
W www.centuryone
publishing.uk
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 03
Corporate Corporate
Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 23 Feb 2018 Supporters: Call for Abstracts – Deadline 15 December 2017
Eastern Mediterranean – Advances in Production
An emerging major Geoscience as an enabler for
petroleum province maximising economic recovery
29-30 May 2018 and ensuring a future for the UKCS
Convenors:
The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London Caroline Gill
Shell UK Limited
5-7 June 2018
Matt Brettle
Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
Statoil Production UK
Jon Gluyas
University of Durham
Cliff Lovelock
Shell UK Limited
Image courtesy of Chevron Image courtesy of PGS
John Underhill Out of adversity comes opportunity. A significant change is required in the North Sea petroleum industry to
keep it profitable and growing, and geoscience has the opportunity to lead the way in delivering this change.
Convenor: The objective of the conference is to enhance technical understanding of the status Heriot Watt University
New plays, fields, technologies and alliances are required in order to increase recovery and reduce the cost
of key plays in this geologically complex region of delivering hydrocarbons. In 2014 the Maximising Economic Recovery UK report suggested that 12-24bn
Iain Brown Confirmed barrels of oil equivalent remained to be produced from the North Sea. This conference aims to show how
In recent years the Eastern Mediterranean region has witnessed growing interest from international energy
PGS
Keynote Speaker: geoscience is helping to develop and recover as much of this remaining hydrocarbon as possible. It will
companies. Substantial gas reserves have been found in Egypt’s Nile Delta Basin and in the Mediterranean showcase the range of solutions maximize economic recovery from the UKCS.
coastal areas since 1995, and in more recent times Noble Energy has discovered a series of substantial gas Al Tucker
fields off the Israeli coast. Several countries have been announcing licensing rounds in recent years. Specific themed sessions may include:
Brent Asset Manager,
• Near Field Exploration • Shallow gas (fuel source) and water (for injection)
A key objective of the meeting is to seek a strong set of papers to highlight in greater depth recent discoveries Shell
• New field developments • Novel drilling technology as an enabler for difficult
such as those of the prolific Pliocene Nile Delta province and the more recent ENI Zohr supergiant carbonate
• Short radius sidetracks geology
discovery and the successful clastic plays in the Levant Basin. Results from Totals current drilling campaign in
• Infill drilling • Exploiting difficult fluids
Cyprus Blk 11 will also drive interest in the region.
• Production from secondary reservoirs • Use of new technology or first application of
The conference will review exploration activity, as well as challenges to a better understanding of the geology technology to the UKCS
• The value of surveillance
in the eastern Mediterranean, including seismic (and other data) acquisition and imaging. Key geological • Enhanced Oil and Gas recovery
• Existing infrastructure - hosts for new opportunities,
issues for understanding subsurface risk in the area will be addressed, including but not limited to • Adding value from co-produced fluids
making it last longer, novel maintenance,
• Geodynamic Evolution alternative uses (wind/CO2 disposal) • Decommissioning
• Pre-salt plays including carbonate build-ups
The focus of the meeting will be on Geoscience, Reservoir Engineering and Petrophysics with the recognition
• Source rock distribution and maturity
that successful integration across the subsurface and surface disciplines is at the heart of a successful shift in
• The importance of regional seismic and refraction data
future fate of the UKCS.
• Sediment provenance studies
• Reservoir quality and reservoir characterisation Call for Abstracts:
Event Sponsor: • Potential of deeper plays and possibilities for oil.
Please submit paper contribution to abstracts@geolsoc.org.uk and copied to caroline.gill@shell.com
Call for Abstracts: by 15 December 2017.
Please submit abstract contribution to sarah.woodcock@geolsoc.org.uk by 23 Feb 2018. For further information please contact:
For further information please contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 9944
Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG. T: 020 7434 9944
At the forefront of petroleum geoscience At the forefront of petroleum geoscience
www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum www.geolsoc.org.uk/petroleum
FUGRO Free one-day Cone Penetration Testing
(CPT) technical courses presented by
Soil and Rock Logging and Hydrogeology
courses presented by First Steps Ltd
specialists from Fugro (£275 + VAT)
TECHNICAL 3rd November 2017 Wallingford
Soil and Rock Logging course
COURSES 8th December 2017 Manchester
8th November 2017 Wallingford
25th January 2018 Glasgow Physical Hydrogeology course
21st February 2018 Birmingham 18th October 2017 Fulham London
To apply for the Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) courses email to: s.poulter@fugro.com
To apply for the Soil and Rock Logging and Physical Hydrogeology book online at:
www.firststeps-geo.co.uk/course-calendar
04 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST
~ GEOSCIENTIST WELCOME
GERMANY’S SPENDING ON ENERGY R&D HAS STAGNATED
FOR A DECADE AND, ACCORDING TO THE OECD, IS EXCEEDED IN THIS
NIGGARDLY SHORT-SIGHTEDNESS ONLY BY – THE UK
~
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK:
Coal comfort?
T
wo reactions emerged from the editorial
Coal is Dust (Geoscientist 27.5, June). One
was that, elsewhere in the world, geologists
are still helping to find and dig it (Letters,
Geoscientist 27.8 September). The other was
that, if we can only get our act together on Carbon
Capture and Storage (CCS), we might be able to go
on using it (Soapbox, this issue). Meanwhile, the
geopolitical climate has just become more heated.
In the United States, the Trump administration has
indicated its intention to support the domestic coal
industry – a major plank in the President’s campaign, not
only rolling back progressive environmental measures,
but possibly putting the US on a collision course with
the United Nations Minimata Convention on mercury
pollution, at its first Conference of Parties (COP1) in Geneva
this September. But - we have already grown used to
the USA resiling from environmental agreements. We
hear rather less about the failures of our European partner, energy R&D has
Germany. stagnated for a decade
But - Germany is terribly ‘green’, isn’t it? and - according to the OECD - is
Well, no. Coal still provides 43% of its electricity. Coal is exceeded in its niggardliness only by
cheap, because its huge environmental costs are never factored the UK (although Germany is investing in Carbon Capture
in. And since Germany is committed to phasing out nuclear and Storage (CCS) research, as well it might, given its power
power by 2022 – for arguably entirely spurious environmental mix). CCS works best for point-sources like power stations.
reasons in the face of the much greater threat posed by CO2 – it Meanwhile Germany is behind on other ‘green’ targets too,
is likely to stay that way. including phasing in electric cars, and even insulating its
Germany has pioneered wind turbines, and has many buildings.
- mostly in the windy, industrial north. The power they Germany’s much-vaunted legislative package, introduced
generate is often wasted because coal plants burn on, in 2010 to support conversion to a low-carbon economy
regardless. Wind power works best when decentralised; (Energiewende) has stalled. As Federal elections approach (I am
but old power grids rely on distribution from point-sources. writing in September) one must hope that the newly assembled
Germany has inadequate grid capacity for getting the north’s Bundestag will have sufficient will to give Energiewende fresh
green surplus to the south. Meanwhile German emissions are life.
not falling, but rising. But even if it does, ‘coming off coal’ is not realistic in the short
More surprising still, perhaps, Germany’s spending on term. CCS, however, could give Germany breathing space.
DR TED NIELD NUJ FGS, EDITOR - TED.NIELD@GEOLSOC.ORG.UK @TedNield @geoscientistmag
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 05
GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS
SOCIETYNEWS What your society is doing
at home and abroad, in
London and the regions
Research Grants
Applications are invited for the The Research Grants committee
2018 round of the Society research meets once annually. Applications
grants. must reach the Society no later
Please complete the form which than 1 February 2018 and must
can be downloaded from the Society be supported by two Fellows of the
Awards and Research Grants page at Society who must each complete a
www.geolsoc.org.uk/grants where you supporting statement form. Only LONDON LECTURE SERIES
will also find information about all the complete applications on the
grants. The average award has been
about £1000.
appropriate form will be considered.
Stephanie Jones
Why Earth developed into the
crucible of life, and Venus into a
hostile wasteland
Open House 2017 Speaker: Dr Sami Mikhail (University of St Andrews)
Date: 22 November
Programme
◆ Afternoon talk: 1430pm Tea & Coffee:
Photo Credit: Ted Nield
1500 Lecture begins: 1600 Event ends
◆ Evening talk: 1730 Tea & Coffee:
Volunteers from the staff who opened up Burlington House to the 1800 Lecture begins: 1900 Reception
public on Saturday. L-R, Back: Michael McKimm, Marie Burke,
Miriam Purdue, Flo Bullough, Sarah Day. L-R Front: Di Clements
(Geologists’ Ass.) Amy Ball, Eileen Jamieson, Ted Nield. (Not Further Information
pictured: Caroline Lam, Fabienne Michaud - photographer) Please visit www.geolsoc.org.uk/gsllondonlectures17.
Entry to each lecture is by ticket only. To obtain a
ticket please contact the Society around four weeks
The Society threw open its doors were invited to join one of seven
before the talk. Due to the popularity of this lecture
to the general public on Saturday guided tours during the day, led by series, tickets are allocated in a monthly ballot and
16 September, writes Dawne Riddle Wendy Cawthorne, Sarah Day, Eileen cannot be guaranteed.
Over 1100 people chose to visit Jamieson, Caroline Lam and Ted
the Society this year for Open House. Nield. The Library also operated a
In partnership with the Geologists’ ‘pop-up bookshop’ selling a variety of Contact: Sarah Woodcock, The Geological Society, Burlington
House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG,
Association, who also ran some urban souvenirs and books, taking over £500 T: +44 (0) 20 7432 0981 E: receptionist@geolsoc.org.uk
geology tours of the area, visitors – a new record.
The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
) will be
and Bath
(London
er
Decemb
0 o n F r iday 22 30 on
from 160 ill reopen at 09 2018
For reasons lost in the mists of time the President of the Society is an ex officio
Commissioner of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. and w y 2 January
Applications are now open for their various Awards, including Research Fellowships. Tuesda
For further information please go to: W: https://www.royalcommission1851.org/awards/
06 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST
Photo Credit: Ted Nield
The Panel. L-R: Author Tom Bergin (Reuters), Clare Short, Mark Steeves,
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart (chair, Royal Dutch Shell Group 1998-2001,
chair of Anglo American plc 2002-09, non-executive director of Saudi
Aramco since 2007, and Society President 2002-04), Peter van Veen
(Transparency International)
Trust & transparency
Mark Steeves* says oil & gas, and mining, have done much Right thing
to improve their transparency, but trust comes slowly - and Peter van Veen asked – and answered - an obvious but pertinent
more effort is needed question about beneficial ownership: “What does happen to the money,
In April 2017 Geoscientist (27.3) reported on an event that after it reaches government? It often ends up in countries where there
took place on 21 February entitled: Trust & Transparency in the are no beneficial ownership rules, where you can’t tell who owns assets.
Oil & Gas and Mining Industries. It was organised by the City Ten percent of Westminster is owned by offshore vehicles from the
of London Geosciences Forum, an initiative of the Society’s British Virgin Islands. Why do we allow this? What good reason can
Corporate Affiliates Committee aimed at building understanding there be not to be transparent?” Quite.
between the Society and the City of London - especially those A delegate from our hosts, Norton Rose Fulbright, suggested from
bankers, insurers, lawyers, Nomads, accountants, brokers, who the floor that corporations couldn’t be blamed if resource-rich host
depend upon the exploration activities of geologists for their governments are poorly served by their civil service. Clare Short, not
business. interested in apportioning blame, asked rhetorically in reply: “Is it the
The Rt. Hon. Clare Short, former Labour MP for Birmingham company’s duty to do a ‘good’ deal, or not?”. Tom Bergin pointedly
Ladywood (1983-2010) and Secretary of State for the UK observed that companies don’t just ‘happen’ on situations, but conspire
Department for International Development (DfID, 1997- in creating them; citing the way North Sea bare-boat charters “are clearly
2003) opened the meeting. As she explained, her interest in structured artificially”. (My early career was spent chartering supply-
transparency, and her passion for international development boats, and I well remember how “imaginative” their ownership structures
had led to her becoming chair of the Extractive Industries could be!)
Transparency Initiative (EITI, 2012-16). We like to think we’ve done a lot to improve the way we do business,
In an overview of EITI since full establishment in 2006, Ms but much remains to be done. Even when we want a ‘good’ - by
Short said that the issue of illicit financial flows had quickly risen which I mean a ‘clean’ - deal, we often find ourselves facing competing
to the top of the international agenda, where it remained. Of the and conflicting pressures. How ‘good’ is your agent, broker, adviser,
$3.5 trillion annual gross revenue generated globally by extractive operating partner, or legal advice? Consider the advantages of ‘having
industries, an estimated $1 trillion is lost by producing countries a good agent’ - and the almost total impracticality of not having one,
through corruption, illegal resource exploitation and tax evasion. in some countries. A ‘big brand’ company may have options often
unavailable to young entrepreneurs and small businesses; but the big
Trump and powerful may not be agile, innovative or responsive - either to clients
While acknowledging that progress had been made, she noted or civil society.
one of President Donald Trump’s early “ominous” actions -
to rescind the ‘Dodd-Frank’ provisions requiring extractive Mistrust
companies to report, country by country, what they pay to Public mistrust in the extractive industries, which in the
governments. She accused the American Petroleum Institute mid-2000s led to EITI being created, has not noticeably
(API, and by extension, extractive industries at large, and therefore diminished. And despite a large number of registrations
some in our audience) of having lobbied unrelentingly against for our event, the relatively low turnout might suggest
those provisions. Some API members, she said, now “sit on the that industry professionals and City firms supporting
EITI Board - and thus the ramifications could be considerable”. and serving the industry are either uninterested, think
Ultimately, I think we learnt that our industry today (certainly at they know all there is to know and how to deal with the
the high-end, and in the UK) is actually fairly transparent. Society regulations, or both. Not good.
President Malcolm Brown (Executive VP Exploration at BG until With the passing of time, it has become clear that this event
2016) will have been pleased to hear Peter van Veen say that raised as many questions, as it provided answers. In the future, the
BG came top among oil and gas companies in Transparency CLGF intends to hold more events that bear on what might most broadly
International’s ‘Corporate Political Engagement Index’, which be termed ethics, and the expectations and behaviour of the professions
assesses the public reporting of the top 40 companies in the operating in and around extractive industries, as well as of the public.
FTSE 100. Moody-Stuart defended Shell’s historic actions, in
Nigeria, for instance, reasonably and pretty convincingly; robustly *Clare Short’s full speech is available with the Online version of this article. Editor
commending Shell’s commitment today to good governance * Mark Steeves is founder and director of Samphire & Associates Ltd. He is also a
and to EITI. He agreed that Short was rightly critical of API, and Friend of the Geological Society and sits on both the Corporate Affiliates Committee
deplored US extra-territoriality. and the City of London Geoscience Forum Steering Committee
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 07
GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS
Honorary Fellowship
Following a proposal from the External Relations Committee, initiative to have the Korean Dinosaur Coast
Council recommends Professor Min Huh for election to nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage
Honorary Fellowship at a future Ordinary General Meeting. Site, in 2009, and it remains on the list to be
Min Huh has been a hands-on, field-orientated palaeontologist considered for this status at a later date. In
for more than 30 years and as a leader is energetic and prominent 2016, he led the successful Korean application
in promoting the Korean geosciences internationally. He continues to host the 37th International Geological
to publish significant, well-cited papers in his field and at the Congress in 2024 and is now co-chair of the implementation
same time plays important roles in national geoscience outreach committee. The Society expects to take an active part in the
and policy, as Director of the Dinosaur Research Centre and 2024 IGC and hopes to develop and strengthen links with relevant
as President of the Geological Society of Korea. He led a major Korean national organisations in the intervening years.
Society Discussion Group FUTURE MEETINGS
Programme: 2017 Dates for meetings of Council and
Meetings of the Geological Society Discussion Group (formerly the Ordinary General Meetings until June
Geological Society Club) are 18.30 for 1900, when dinner is served. 2017 will be as follows:
Attendance is open to all members of the Society. For up to date
information concerning topics for discussion and speakers, please
go to W: http://bit.ly/2lkAvbd u OGMs:
2017: 22November,
◆ 6 December Athenaeum (London SW1Y 5ER) 2018: 7 February, 4 April
2018 u Council:
7 February (Gay Hussar) 24 April (Burlington Hse.) 2017: 22 November,
14 June (Athenaeum) 12 September (Gay Hussar) 2018: 7 February, 4 April
24 October (Bumpkins) 5 December (Athenaeum)
Latest news from the Publishing House
Jenny Blythe has the latest from the Geological Society Publishing House New Book
A new anurognathid pterosaur with evidence of perching behaviour Geomechanics
and Geology
Edited by J.P. Turner,
D. Healy, R.R. Hillis
and M. Welch
Geomechanics investigates the origin,
magnitude and deformational consequences of
stresses in the crust. In recent years awareness
of geomechanical processes has been
heightened by societal debates on fracking,
A new anurognathid pterosaur, Versperopterylus lamadongensis gen. et sp. nov., is human-induced seismicity, natural geohazards
erected based on a complete skeleton with a skull preserved. It is characterized by and safety issues with respect to petroleum
two short distinct ridges pre-sent on the ventral surface of the cervical vertebrae; exploration drilling, carbon sequestration and
coracoids slightly longer than scapula; humerus, wing phalanx 3 and tibia nearly radioactive waste disposal. This volume explores
the same in length; grooves clearly present on the posteri-or surface of the wing the common ground linking geomechanics with
phalanges 1–3; and the first toe reversed. It is the first anurognathid pterosaur from inter alia economic and petroleum geology,
China with a definitively short tail, and the first pterosaur with a reversed first toe. structural geology, petrophysics, seismology,
The reversed first toe of Versperopterylus indicates that it had arboreal habitats. The geotechnics, reservoir engineering and
discovery of Versperopterylus lamadongensis from the Jiufotang Formation strongly production technology.
expands the geological age range for anurognathid pterosaurs.
Find out more here
Read here https://doi.org/10.1144/SP455.16 www.geolsoc.org.uk/SP458
08 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST
GEOSCIENTIST SOAPBOX
One last roll for coal?
Former President Bryan Lovell* says Carbon Capture and
Storage is the last roll of the dice for fossil fuels
T
he June editorial (Geoscientist
SOAPBOX
strengthened since 2010. One example:
27.5 – ‘Coal is Dust’) described a we have new evidence from the geological
divisive threat to our Society at record of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal
the end of the last century. Ted
Nield illustrated a local story of
the gulf between the British coal industry
Maximum (PETM) in Spitsbergen and
China. That evidence suggests that the
input of carbon that triggered the PETM
CALLING!
and the environmentalists: ripples at the was an order of magnitude less rapid than
edge of the pond. our own rate of release of carbon to the Soapbox is open to contributions
During this century, as the atmosphere: disturbance of Earth systems at from all Fellows. You can always
climate ‘sceptics’ have squared up to speed by us. write a letter to the Editor, of
environmentalists, the Geological Society course: but perhaps you feel you
has remained a unified body. The key to that Challenge need more space?
unity is observational science. We rely on the We challenge those at both ends of the
evidence from the rocks. public argument on climate change. The If you can write it entertainingly in
We continue to argue with each other climate sceptics flounder when presented 500 words, the Editor would like
about climate change, and much else, in with evidence from the geological record. to hear from you. Email your piece,
the Lower Library and in Geoscientist. We Environmentalists with a general aversion and a self-portrait, to
do so happily, because we know that in the to the fossil-fuel industry fret at geological ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk.
end none of us can argue with the rocks support for carbon capture and storage Copy can only be accepted
themselves. We will go out in the field, look (CCS). electronically. No diagrams, tables
at the rocks again, and hope to see who was That geological contribution to or other illustrations please.
right. development of commercial-scale CCS
becomes ever more significant. Academic Pictures should be of print
Policy and industry scientists work together quality – please take photographs
In 2010 the Society published a statement of on successful field trials of storage in on the largest setting on your
policy on human-induced climate change. conventional hydrocarbon-style traps. camera, with a plain background.
The report was prepared by a group of
Fellows renowned for their knowledge of Field trials Precedence will always be given
the record of past climates preserved in I declare an interest, as consultant to BHP, to more topical contributions. Any
rocks and ice. The only guidance provided in research sponsored by that company one contributor may not appear
by Council was that these mighty scholars on storage in open systems. This project more often than once per volume
should stick to those tangible records in is now underway at the Universities of (once every 12 months).
~
assessing whether we really did have a Cambridge, Melbourne and Stanford. The
problem requiring attention. We do. aim is to quantify capillary, solution and
The geological case mineral trapping of carbon dioxide in a
for concern about range of reservoirs. Successful field trials
WE GEOLOGISTS
human-induced of trapping by these mechanisms would HAVE BEEN SET THE
climate transform the debate on CCS. CHALLENGE OF FINDING
change has Until this research is complete, it is
premature to consign any type of fossil ADEQUATE SAFE
fuel to the scrapheap. We geologists have STORAGE FOR CARBON
been set the challenge of finding adequate
safe storage for carbon dioxide. If we can’t
DIOXIDE. IF WE CAN’T
do that, the fossil-fuel game is indeed up. DO THAT, THE FOSSIL-
If we can, we can continue to use coal, FUEL GAME IS INDEED
gas and oil. We have seldom had a more
important job to do.
*Bryan Lovell is at the University of Cambridge
UP
~
BRYAN LOVELL
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 09
HIDDEN
Image: Yerko Espinoza/shutterstock.com
T
he Republic of Singapore is a Natural resources
Graham Leslie* and hugely vigorous and dynamic The resulting demand on Singapore’s
hub for global finance, constrained land and natural
Rhian Kendall** commerce, and transport resources is high. A growing
links, and is arguably one of population of over 5.6 million lives
explore the geology the world’s most competitive countries. within an area of only 700km2,
beneath one of The only island city-state on the planet,
and frequently cited as the most
a population density of some
8264 people per km2 in an area
the world’s fastest ‘technology-ready’ nation, Singapore
is the world’s third-largest oil refining
approximately the same size as
Anglesey (Ynys Môn) in North Wales!
growing cities - and trading centre, its second-busiest
container port, largest oil-rig producer
Although half of Singapore’s land
area comprises spectacular nature
Singapore and a major hub for ship-repair
services.
reserves, parks and gardens,
natural outcrop is now extremely
Looking to the future, Singapore rare at surface; and so, getting to
today aspires to becoming a grips with Singapore’s geology is
‘smart’ nation – one that integrates always challenging. Despite these
transportation, utilities and service challenges however, it is becoming
infrastructure with information increasingly clear that the story of
communications technology (ICT), Singapore’s geological evolution from
Above: Singapore, Asian Tiger City - arguably
one of the world’s most competitive places and in order to facilitate the sustainable Carboniferous times on, was diverse,
certainly one of its most densely populated management of its societal assets. often complex, and rapidly changing
10 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST~
UNDERSTANDING THAT GEOLOGICAL INHERITANCE, AND
COMMUNICATING ITS MOST SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTICS TO SINGAPORE’S
GEOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR
FUELLING AND SUSTAINING THE COUNTRY’S CONTINUED GROWTH
~ Photographs,
top and bottom:
The BGS has
worked together
with the BCA to
revise the current
stratigraphy
of Singapore.
These fieldwork
pictures illustrate
the mapping
teams using
foreshore
outcrops, a
vital source of
information in
this outcrop-poor
terrain
– at least on a geological timescale. geological information that will c. 720km2 in 2015. Its surface area is
Understanding that geological benefit both private and public projected to grow by another 100km2
inheritance, and communicating its sector efforts in underground by 2030.
most significant characteristics to development has now been Singapore presently comprises
Singapore’s geological community, is collated, and a subterranean land 63 separate islands; some of these
vitally important to those responsible rights and valuation framework reclamation projects involve merging
for fuelling and sustaining the is being developed. The British smaller islands to form larger, more
country’s continued growth. Geological Survey (BGS) has been functional islands (as has been
Taking a long-term view, the working with the Geological and done with Jurong Island in the
Singapore Government has already Underground Projects Department south west). In still more ambitious
invested heavily and strategically in of the Building and Construction plans, the subsurface is seen as an
in the creation of land and space, Authority (BCA) since 2012 to attractive development space for,
establishing an Economic Strategies deliver this modern geological among other things, basements,
Committee (ESC) in 2009. The knowledge-base. This article tells energy production and infrastructure,
Singapore Government is developing the story (so far!) of the fascinating waste disposal and treatment,
an underground master-plan and geology emerging from beneath the groundwater abstraction and water
‘land bank’, with a view to ensuring Asian Tiger City. storage, transportation, industrial
that underground and aboveground manufacturing, and logistics.
spaces are better integrated with Reclamation
surrounding developments and Since the 1960s, land reclamation Planning
infrastructure. projects have increased Singapore’s Geological and geotechnical
All underground and other land area by almost 24% - to understanding of Singapore’s sub-
▼
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 11Although highly
built up, it is
possible to find
outcrops along
the foreshores
of Singapore’s
many outlying
islands
Singapore
has taken surface is critical to planning, design
▼
advantage of
the proximity and construction of a future-proof
of its outlying city infrastructure. Very significant
islands to, in parts of that infrastructure will
some cases,
comprise enormous underground
join them
together facilities, and land-scarce Singapore
is already storing some of its military
resources in this way.
The giant cavern facilities beneath
Jurong Island entered service for
oil storage in September 2014. This
cavern complex lies some 150m
below ground, delivering a storage
Photo: Hudson Shiraku capacity of 1.47 million m3 of liquid
hydrocarbon - equivalent to some 580
BGS’ copy Olympic-sized swimming pools. This
of Mary capacity will double when the second
Alexander’s
geological map phase of the work is completed.
of Singapore In the last decade, the push to go
underground has seen potential uses
of cavern space as water reservoirs,
power stations, port logistic systems,
data centres, warehousing and
storage all under consideration. The
state-of-the-art underground MRT
system for Singapore’s growing
population continues to expand
rapidly.
Bedrock is now preserved
only sporadically at the modern
metropolitan surface. Most natural
outcrop is confined to coastline and
to disused quarries, many of which
are now flooded or in varying stages
Marina Bay of reclamation.
Gardens, The present new study is only
Singapore – made possible because of a new and
all on land
reclaimed comprehensive ground investigation
from the busy programme commissioned for
Singapore the BCA. This includes acquiring
Strait
drillcore from more than 100
boreholes. Each borehole is typically
about 200m deep, extending fromGEOSCIENTIST FEATURE
the ground surface to some 70m by volcanogenic deposits that issued
below the engineered floors of any from the still-active arc; 240 million
anticipated cavern storage space year-old tuffs are interlayered with
designs - totalling approximately Carnian/Norian fossil assemblages,
13, 400m of new drillcore. Some all pointing to a mid- to late Triassic
100km of new seismic reflection and history.
refraction data have been acquired in Now folded, thrust and cleaved,
a number of designated development these Jurong strata record deformation
areas; all these new data are having and low-grade metamorphism that
a very significant impact on current resulted when the fore-arc sequence
understanding of Singapore geology. became accreted onto Mesozoic
None of the geological record Indochina-East Malaya during collision
that emerges from beneath the and suturing with Sibumasu across the
modern Singapore cityscape is Bentong-Raub line.
straightforward. Embedding robust During the earlier stages of
geoscience knowledge in sub-surface that collision, and possibly as the
planning will help ensure that the subducting oceanic slab detached, the
future decision-making process will be older inner fore-arc succession was
well informed and so improve urban buried beneath a 20 – 30Ma younger
resilience. fluvial succession laden with volcanic,
plutonic and metamorphic detritus.
Singapore rocks Gradually, that fluvial succession
Singapore lies at the southern end became more tidally dominated
of Peninsular Malaysia, in a region again, as relative sea-levels rose in the
dominated by the geological history of earliest Jurassic. Terminal collision
two continental fragments (Indochina- of Sibumasu and SE Indochina- East
East Malaya and Sibumasu) that Malaya (‘docking’) marked the end of
separated from the supercontinent deformation, focused in the Bentong-
of Gondwana during the Palaeozoic. Raub suture zone. NE-vergent fold
These fragments are now joined and thrust-belt deformation developed
together, along with rocks assigned to on the eastern side of the suture zone,
the Sukhothai Arc terrain, along the affecting upper Triassic to earliest
trace of the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone Jurassic strata.
(see map p15). Deformation ended by about
Above: Marina Bay Gardens, Singapore – all on land
Singapore’s oldest rocks are thought 195Ma and that terminal collision was reclaimed from the busy Singapore Strait
to be the siliciclastic sedimentary rocks followed by a long period of deeply Upper Middle: Half of Singapore’s land area today com-
prises spectacular nature reserves, parks and gardens
of the Sajahat Formation, which crop penetrative weathering and erosion Lower Middle: Deformed volcanic clast in tuffaceous
out on the island of Pulau Tekong in for c. 50 million years during the later conglomerate in drillcore, cm scale
north-eastern Singapore. Although Jurassic. No mid- to upper Jurassic Below: The giant cavern facilities beneath Jurong Island
entered service for oil storage in September 2014
the Formation’s age is not proven strata are preserved.
conclusively, these rocks have been Variably cemented Quaternary sands ~
thermally metamorphosed by the and gravels cover much of eastern
intrusion of granitic and associated Singapore Island. These are thought to
mafic intrusive rocks of Permian have been deposited by braided river
to mid-Triassic age. The Central systems, flowing broadly southwards NONE OF THE
Singapore Granite and Gombak Norite into the Straits of Singapore. They are GEOLOGICAL RECORD
plutons are a conspicuous feature on known as ‘Old Alluvium’ in both Johor THAT EMERGES FROM
the geological map. and Singapore (attributed to the Bedok
In western and south-western Formation within the new proposed
BENEATH THE MODERN
Singapore the Mid- to Upper Triassic lithostratigraphical framework). SINGAPORE CITYSCAPE IS
STRAIGHTFORWARD
~
(to earliest Jurassic?) volcano- The youngest part of the succession
sedimentary Jurong Formation comprises unconsolidated marine to
(which has been assigned Group terrestrial sediments of late Pleistocene
status in the BGS’s new proposed to Holocene age, which are assigned to
lithostratigraphical framework) was the Kallang Formation (also elevated
originally deposited in an active to Group status in the BGS proposed
fore-arc basin as a shallow marine lithostrat framework).
to terrestrial succession, broadly
contemporaneous with the younger Pioneer
elements of the plutonic rocks. The It is important though to acknowledge
sedimentary succession is punctuated that our work did not start from
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 13GEOSCIENTIST SOCIETY NEWS
nothing. One of the first geological Research Section of the Radio
▼
maps for the whole island of Singapore Development Laboratory. After they
was created by Dr Elizabeth Alexander were reunited, the couple returned
and published in 1950. Frances to Singapore in 1947. Alexander
Elizabeth Somerville Alexander (1908- became a geological consultant and in
1958) was a pioneering scientist (see 1949 was appointed Geologist to the
this month’s second feature, p17). She Government in Singapore.
was awarded a PhD from Cambridge Her main task was to make a
University in 1934 with a thesis on survey of the islands resources of
the main outcrop of the Aymestry granite and other useful stone - one
Limestone (Silurian, Upper Ludlow conclusion of which being that the
Shales Group). island’s granite resources should
After her marriage the couple last for 500 years. Alexander died in
moved to Singapore in 1936, where 1958, a few months short of her 50th
they had a family of three children. birthday. Her contribution to geology
Alexander worked for the Royal and radio astronomy is extraordinary,
Navy on radio direction-finding, considering her short life, detailed
during which time she held the rank knowledge of two disciplines, and the
of Captain. She is, arguably, most traumatic circumstances in which she
well-known as the first female radio made it.
astronomer, discovering in 1945 the Our present work on Singapore’s
‘Norfolk Island Effect’ - the connection subsurface geology rests on the
between an increase in radio noise pioneering work carried out by
Photo: Juha Sompinmaeki/shutterstock.com
associated with the sun (solar radio Alexander, often in the most difficult
emissions). of circumstances. It is with a certain
In 1942, with the threat of Japanese pride that by building on what
invasion looming, Alexander fled with she achieved, we are able to draw
her children to safety in New Zealand. attention to this sadly neglected
Believing her husband to be dead figure, whose daughter is currently
(he was actually a prisoner of war at engaged in writing her biography. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, FRS was a British
Changi), she remained there, and was The Asian Tiger City owes her a very statesman, Lieutenant-Governor of British Java
and Governor-General of Bencoolen, best known
appointed head of the Operations great debt indeed. u
for his founding of Modern Singapore
Photo: Kroisenbrunner. Wikimedia Commons.
Panorama of Keppel Container Terminal, Singapore
Geological and geotechnical understanding Dr Elizabeth Alexander 1908-1958 Above: Marina Bay Gardens, by night
of the Singapore sub-surface is critical (courtesy: Mary Harris)
to planning, design and construction of a Below: Some of the c. 13km of new core laid out for
future-proof city infrastructure examinationGEOSCIENTIST FEATURE
REFERENCES
GILLESPIE, M. R. G., GOODENOUGH, K. M., KEARSEY,
T., LESLIE, A. G., & PRICE, S. J. (2014). A Stratigraphical
Guide for Singapore. (CR/13/046). Keyworth,
Nottingham: British Geological Survey.
GOODENOUGH, K. M., LESLIE, A. G., KEARSEY, T.,
PRICE, S. J., WOODS, M. A., GILLESPIE, M. R. and
BOON, D. 2014. An Overview of the Geology of
Singapore. Commissioned Report CR/13/037. Keyworth,
Nottingham: British Geological Survey.
HALL, R. 2009. The Eurasian SE Asian margin as a
modern example of an accretionary orogen. 351-372
in Earth Accretionary Systems in Space and Time.
CAWOOD, P. A. and KRONER, A. (editors). Geological
Society Special Publication 318 (London: Geological
Society of London).
METCALFE, I. 2011. Palaeozoic-Mesozoic history
of SE Asia. 7-35 in The SE Asian Gateway: History
and Tectonics of the Australia-Asia Collision. HALL,
R., COTTAM, M. A. and WILSON, M. E. J. (editors).
Geological Society of London Special Publication 355
(London: Geological Society of London).
*BGS Scotland, The Lyell Centre, Edinburgh EH14
4AP: E: agle@bgs.ac.uk. **BGS Wales, Cardiff
University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10
3AT, Wales. Published with the permission of the
Executive Director, British Geological Survey
Painting by Rhian Kendall of an
outcrop on Pulau Sekudu.
Top left: Singapore lies at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia, in a region dominated by the geological history of two continental fragments (Indochina-East Malaya and Sibumasu)
that separated from the supercontinent of Gondwana during the Palaeozoic. These fragments are now joined together, along with rocks assigned to the Sukhothai Arc terrain, along the
trace of the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone. Permian to mid-Triassic granitic and mafic intrusive rocks from that arc dominate central Singapore. In western and south-western Singapore
a mid- to uppermost Triassic (to earliest Jurassic?) volcano-sedimentary succession was originally deposited in an active fore-arc basin as a shallow marine to terrestrial succession,
broadly contemporaneous with the younger elements of the plutonic rocks of Singapore. After Metcalfe (2011) and Hall (2009)ELIZABETH ALEXANDER SCIENTIFIC PIONEER
*Mary Harris recounts her mother’s role in
investigating the geology of Singapore
M
uch of the current geological still freelance as a geologist, but by 1938 had
work in Singapore has begun war work at the Singapore Naval
developed from the work Base, where she was employed in Radio
of Dr Elizabeth Alexander: Direction Finding (RDF). At that time the
particularly from that Admiralty was setting up a network of
published in her Granite Report of 19501 long-range, high-frequency, radio direction
with its enfolded map. She had come to finding stations, with Singapore as their
Singapore in 1936 with her husband, New control centre. Singapore had particularly
Zealander Norman Alexander, Professor close links with New Zealand, whose Navy
of Physics at Raffles College, but began was still a squadron of the Royal Navy and
research on the island’s geology under her which, as a country, was well advanced in
own initiative almost as soon as she arrived. wireless technology.
Malay States Invasion
In the colonial era, Singapore was included The Japanese Army invaded Malaya in
with Malaya in a complicated organisation December 1941 and advanced rapidly down
of Federated and Unfederated Malay the peninsula. Elizabeth was ordered to
States and Straits Settlements, and the only take her three children to safety with her
comprehensive publications on the geology husband’s family in New Zealand, and to
of the region were those of John Brooke return to the Naval Base with specialist
Scrivenor, appointed first Director of the equipment then being manufactured in
new Geology Survey Department of the Sydney. But she was overtaken by events.
Federated Malay States in 1927. He had Singapore fell, and she found herself
worked in Malaya since 1903 with a small stranded with no income and no news of
and fluctuating staff, from headquarters in her husband and needing to find work so
Kuala Lumpur; but by the time Elizabeth that she could rear her children.
arrived, the Department’s headquarters Through contacts with colleagues from
was in Batu Gajah, near Ipoh - accessible Cambridge University days who were
from Singapore by road and air - where by then working in radar (not yet called
it remained until after the end of colonial that, but disguised under the name of
times. ‘RDF’) and her Singapore Naval Base link
Scrivenor’s publications had been with the New Zealand part of the RDF
accessible to Elizabeth in Cambridge network, she was invited to set up and run
University Library, (where her 1935 PhD the Operational Research Section of New
in geology is archived) in the Raffles Zealand’s Radio Development Lab, the Above: Elizabeth Alexander at Kampong Eunos Earth
Museum and Library in Singapore, and secret radar research department of New Quarry. Survey Museum London 1950
through the Geological Survey, headed Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Left: Elizabeth Alexander, pioneering scientist
of Singapore
by Eric Willbourn following Scrivenor’s Industrial Research.
retirement in 1931. Elizabeth developed During her four years there, she was
a particular interest in erosion under the responsible not only for the operational
warm and humid climate of Singapore, effectiveness of New Zealand’s own radars
finding that under certain circumstances, (thrown into prominence in the South
iron, aluminium and silica were mobile and Pacific theatre, following Pearl Harbour),
were involved in the formation of new rock but also for two major pieces of research,
at unexpectedly high speed. which faded from history until the very
recent publication of New Zealand’s
Mangrove swamp WWII Radar Narrative. One became the
By 1940, she had buried some rock samples beginning of the science of radio astronomy
in mangrove swamp, to compare some in Australia and the other the Canterbury
years later with controls in the lab which Project.
she had set up in her own home. She was Elizabeth could proceed with neither
▼
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 17Kampong Eunos
Earth Quarry,
showing wind
and water
erosion. Survey
Museum London
1950
of them herself because her contract of rocks. Then, her husband was head- she disappeared from both sciences until,
▼
with the New Zealand government ended hunted to Ibadan, Nigeria where University with the publication of the New Zealand
with the end of the war. Her husband College Ibadan (then an internal college of Radar Narrative and renewed geological
re-appeared from internment in Singapore London University) would need its physics research in Singapore, people began
and eventually, she herself was back in department upgraded in time to undertake asking who this remarkable scientist was.
Singapore in 1947. It is relevant to note ionosphere research for the International My forthcoming biography3 intends to try
however, that her work as Head of Ops Geophysical Year of 1957/8. to explain.
Research in New Zealand, in which she Elizabeth was unhappy to leave her Elizabeth Alexander would have been
was employed as Senior Physicist, was own Singapore geology research for a particularly pleased to see the lasting
as significant to the development of second time, but her husband, affected like effects of her Singapore work both in
radio science as her work in the science all internees by his experience, needed her Singapore and in England. The second
she loved best was to become in the help and she put him first. At University edition of The Geology of Singapore
development of the geology of Singapore. College Ibadan, she took a junior post in by Lee Kim Wee and Zhou Yingxin,
the Agriculture Department under the was published in 2009 by Singapore’s
Recovery rule that wives of expatriate staff could Defence Science and Technology Agency
In Singapore in 1947 the priority was not undertake employment if a qualified in collaboration with the Building and
recovery from occupation. Continuation Nigerian was available, and attempted Construction Authority of Nanyang
of her own research was made impossible to start some weathering research again. Technological University, and made
because her house, which included her lab, Meanwhile Michael Tweedie of Raffles available online through researchgate.net
had been looted to complete emptiness Museum, a naturalist with great experience by author Professor Zhou in 2016.
by the British Army of Reoccupation. of and fondness for mangrove swamps, Her work is cited, discussed and
Instead, she worked to help re-establish found one of Elizabeth’s baskets of rocks developed throughout the book as new
Raffles College, in various consultancies and had it sent to the Rothamsted Research generations of Singapore geologists
concerned with Singapore’s neglected or Station, just outside London, where she work collaboratively with government
damaged infrastructures, and in acting could examine the rocks during annual departments which need to use it. At the
as Temporary Registrar for the new leaves from Nigeria. same time, the British Geological Survey
University of Malaya while preparing is working collaboratively in Singapore
specimens and slides for teaching in a Stroke in building its three-dimensional model
geology department there as soon as it Her paper2 was read at the Geological of the island. At a time when so much of
opened. Society, shortly before she died and Singapore’s land has been bulldozed and
In 1949 she was commissioned by published posthumously. During an built on, Elizabeth’s 1950 report, map and
the Singapore government to survey unsuccessful argument with the College photographs are the only record of earlier,
the Island for sources of granite for Principal at Ibadan for the development more accessible geology.
reconstruction and to publish the Granite of a geology department which she had At the same time, her posthumously
Report named above. Her attempt to already set up at her own expense, she published paper on tropical weathering in
restart her own weathering research was suffered a cerebral haemorrhage and died SE Asia has significance for recent work
further obstructed because, during some a week later. She was not quite 50 years on the Hertfordshire Puddingstone. Lovell
road building, the occupiers had sliced the old, but in her short life, hampered by war and Tubb (2006) suggest that cementation
top off a hill which bore a triangulation and its lasting effects, she had changed of this famously hard rock took place “…
point, crucial in locating her buried basket thinking in two separate sciences. Then beneath a 55Ma land surface that enjoyed
18 | NOVEMBER 2017 | WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTISTElizabeth
Alexander
in the field.
Survey
Museum,
London
1950
Above: Norfolk Island
Below: Singapore Naval Base
Singapore
today is highly
developed and
yet also richly
supplied with
natural reserves
- a very different
place from the
one encountered
by Elizabeth
Alexander
Statue and
plaque
a climate closer to that of present-day commemorating
Penang (in Malaysia) rather than that of Sir Stamford
Raffles
Puckeridge.” 4 u
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I am grateful to Professor Yingxin Zhou and
Marcus Dobbs for personal communications
about the significance of Elizabeth’s legacy in
their current work.
* Mary Harris is writing the biography of Elizabeth
Alexander. E: mary@maryeharris.plus.com
FURTHER READING
1. Alexander FES. 1950. Report on the availability of
granite on Singapore and the surrounding islands.
Singapore: Government Publications Bureau.
2. Alexander FES. 1959. Observations on tropical
weathering: a study of the movement of iron,
aluminum and silicon in weathering rocks at
Singapore. Quarterly Journal of the Geological
Society of London. 115:123–144.
3. Harris, Mary (forthcoming). Rocks, Radio and
Radar: the extraordinary scientific, social and military
history of Elizabeth Alexander, to be published by
Imperial College Press.
4. Lovell, Bryan and Tubbs Jane (2006) Ancient
Quarrying of Rare in situ Palaeogene Hertfordshire
Puddingstone. Mercian Geologist 16 (3)
pp185 - 189.
WWW.GEOLSOC.ORG.UK/GEOSCIENTIST | NOVEMBER 2017 | 19You can also read
